Mug Rug

Brrrr, for those of you back in the Midwest and East.  This winter has hit you hard. As for us in California, we are enjoying warm weather, but desperately need some rain (and snow). It has been a crazy winter season, for sure.
While I was down visiting my daughter, she had cleaned out her fabric/goodie stash and gave me a couple of old wool sweaters. So I used these to make today's project.


And in the spirit of 'keeping warm' ...

Felted Mug Rug
You will need:
an old sweater that is 100% wool, elastic cord and a button.


First you will need to wash the sweater in hot water 2-3 times. Use a little bit of detergent. A large sweater will miraculously change into a little baby sweater. But you never could use it to wear, it is too thick and stiff. Your kid would look like a paper doll with his arms sticking straight out.


At this point, the wool has felted and can be cut without the edges fraying.
I cut a piece approx. 9" X 3" .  I sewed a loop of elastic at one end, and a button at the other end on one side. My sweater had an argyle design, so I went over the colors with my sewing machine to give it some interest. But this is optional. Also I used a button that was all plastic, no metal. This way I can heat up my drink in the microwave with the Cup Cozy still on it.


And there you have it. You can get several from one sweater. Make a few, add some mugs, coffee or tea, and you have a great gift.


I also cut off the sleeve ends after one time in the washer. Now these snugglies can be used for 'take out' cups. Cut a long one for those Grande sizes, and a smaller one for the tall size.

So even if you are not staying warm this winter, your drinks will be!


tip of the day:
One of the 'hot' items these days are Reusable Lint Balls. These are made from 100% wool yarn, (non-washable). You make a ball of yarn about the size of a tennis ball. Put in a sock, knot the sock tightly and wash it 2-3 times in HOT water until the ball comes out the size of a golf ball. Or I bet you could boil it too. Then you throw 5 or 6 of these felted yarn balls in the dryer instead of a dryer sheet. I haven't tried this one yet, but let me know if you have and how it works.


That's all for now,
:D

Wine Tasting

Well, this is very interesting for those wine drinkers out there....

We are having a wine tasting at our local club. And I thought it might be fun to have a "personal" tasting between Tom and I to see which wine we should bring.

I have 4 wines, prices ranging from 5.00 to 17.00. So this is totally 'do-able' for those on a budget.






I arranged 4 glasses with 'post-it-notes' on each glass. I had a master list which told me which wine was which. Which I promptly forgot! So that was good as far as my tasting was concerned. ha ha






I poured wine into each glass, and had crackers to eat in between. It was so interesting to see that he and I were on the polar opposite on the range of Chardonnays.  He chose one that I thought was bad, and visa versa.  But as it turned out, the one in the middle (with 3 stars) we agreed on. So that's the one I 

will be bringing.  It is Cupcake Vineyards, Livermore, California!!!


Ha! Who knew?


Why don't you have some people over, and have a blind tasting. Have everyone bring an appetizer and a bottle of wine wrapped in foil (so no one can tell what it is). Have prizes for best 'cheap' wine, best white and best red.


Sounds like fun to me...!
:D

Box of Sweet Traits

Well, first I have to apologize for not posting for so long. I don't think I have that many followers, so I never feel too bad about that.  Until someone asks me "What's going on with your blog"? (Thank you Sheila) and that reminds me that, yes, there are a few out there that take the time to read my stuff.


So gratefully and humbly here I am.  First I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I know I did. My girls and their hubbies (and my 4 "Grand-Dogs") were all here for Christmas. Being together is what made it sooo special. We had such a wonderful time!!!  I will post some pix later this month of the fun stuff we did. But now I want to share this year's Birthday Card.


My sweet "twinkies" turned 32 and every year I try to make them a special birthday card. This year I came up with the idea of a box of paper chocolates that were filled with the girl's wonderful character traits.


So this project is:



Birthday Box of Sweets

you need:
decorative papers, glue, small box and sweet treats (optional)


I used a cigar box for one 'candy box'. On the outside I printed a birthday message onto scrapbook paper from my computer. On the inside of the lid of the box I printed this:
"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get"... And we are so happy we got you, because you are:


And then I made a paper divider for the bottom of the box, and started making lots of little boxes from scrapbook paper or old cards, etc. These have to fit into the little spaces. If you would like to know how to make the little boxes please go back into my blog archive 12-30-11 to see how to do it.


Then I printed sweet traits (ex. talented, pretty, patient, etc.)  onto long strips. These I glued these into the boxes. Then I found some small chocolate treats and put them into the boxes also.

I told the girls that they could eat one treat a day, and exemplify that trait throughout the day. That way the card/gift keeps on giving. They loved it, and I loved making it!  Remember, a special gift doesn't have to cost a lot, be resourceful, recycle and put your time and love into it.

tip of the day:
After the holidays, it can be a lonesome time. Take a minute, drop someone a note, call a friend to come over for a board game, throw a pot-luck party for some silly reason! Did you not hear from someone in December, call or email to see how they are doing.


That's all for now,
:Dee